File band



R. .J; ,WILKIE Jan. 13, .1942.

FILE BAND Filed Sept. 16, 1940 rv/ A wwm 250175- 1"! Mfr IF PatentedJan. 13, 1942 FILE BAND Robert John Wilkie, Minneapolis, Minn., assignorto Continental Machines, Incorporated, Minneapolis, Minn., a corporationof Minnesota Application September 16, 1940, Serial No. 357,001

7 Claims. (01. 29-79) This invention relates to filing machines of thetype shown in Patent No. 2,180,078 issued to Leighton A. Wilkie,November 14, 1939, and refers particularly to the file band thereof.

These machines are quite similar to the conventional band saw in thatthey have an endless file band composed of a plurality of file elementsarranged end to end on a flexible endless carrier trained over spacedpulleys with one stretch thereof traveling in a vertical straight linethrough a working zone between the pulleys.

Inasmuch as the files must be so secured to the carrier as to permit thecarrier to flex as it travels around the pulleys, the files are apt toshift laterally with respect to the carrier and each other.-

In the aforesaid patent interengaging connections between the ends ofadjacent file elements are employed for the purpose of holding the endsof the file elements against lateral shifting. These connections areautomatically established as the file band enters its straight stretchesso that as the band passes through the working zone the connectionsbetween the file elements are effective or operative.

So connecting the adjacent ends of the file elements undoubtedly aidedmaterially in maintaining proper alignment, but was found not entirelysatisfactory for while the file elements were thus interconnected witheach other, their ends were free to shift with relation to the carrierband, which is the only laterally rigid part of the assembly. I

It is therefore an object of the present inven-- tion to provide a fileband so constructed that lateral shifting of the individual fileelements is positively precluded not only with respect to each other,but also with respect to the laterally rigid carrier.

Inasmuch as these filing machines are employed for precision machining,every precaution must be taken to insure the file elements traveling intheir intended path. In the past where the file elements were directlysecured to the fiat ribbon-like carrier band, the accumulation of chipsor filings behind the file elements and consequently between the fileelements and carrier band, constituted a serious threat to themaintenance of the desired accuracy,

The present invention greatly minimizes this objection through theprovision of a novel manner of securing the'file elements to the carrierband whereby a substantial portion of the file element is held spacedfrom the'carrier band so that the presence of chips orfilings will notdisturb the accuracy of the position of the file element with relationto its backup or support.

To this end it is another object of this invention to provide a fileband wherein the attachment of the individual file elements to thecarrier includes a spacer-leaf under an end portion of each file elementand projecting therefrom to engage under the free end of the nextadjacent file element so that the major portion of each file element isheld spaced from the carrier band per se.

With a view toward reducing manufacturing costs and precluding weakeningof the flexible carrier band, it is another object of the presentinvention to provide the spacer leaves with the band carried part of thecomplementary connections between the band and the ends of the fileelements for preventing lateral shifting of the files.

I More specifically, it is an object of this invention to form thespacer leaves with outwardly projecting tongues which engage in groovesformed by sockets in the ends of the file elements.

With the above and other objects in View, which will appear as thedescription proceeds, this invention resides in the novel construction,combination and arrangement of parts substantially as hereinafterdescribed, and more particularly defined by the appended claims, itbeing understood that such changes in the precise embodiment of thehereindisclosed invention may be made as come within the scope of theclaims.

The accompanying drawing illustrates two complete examples of thephysical embodiment of the invention constructed in accordance with thebest modes so far devised for the practical application of theprinciples thereof, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating part of a file bandconstructed in accordance with this invention with one of the fileelements removed to more clearly show the relationship of its socket tothe tongue on the spacer leaf;

Figure 2 is a side view of a portion of a file band embodying thisinvention; and

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure l illustrating a slightly modifiedembodiment of this invention.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawing in whichlike numerals indicate like parts, the numeral 5 designates a flexibleribbon-like steel carrier band, the ends of which are adapted to beconnected so as to form one endless unit which, as is customary istrained over the pulleys of the filing machine to be driven thereby.

Inasmuch as the construction of the filing machine forms no part of thisinvention it has not been shown, and if desired, reference may be had tothe aforesaid Patent No. 2,180,078, for an illustration of one form ofsuch a machine.

The flexible ribbon-like band 5 carries the file elements 6 which arepreferably identical and consist of rigid rectangular bars having afront abrading surface and sockets or notches I at both ends in theirunder surfaces.

The width of the file elements is at least equal to that of the carrierband so that no part of the band projects beyond the file, and thebackup support (not shown) which supports the file element as it crossesthe working zone,.likewise is no wider than the file elements.

Each file element is secured to the flexible carrier band by two rivetsB or their equivalent. The rivets 8 also pass through spacer leaves 9,preferably formed of the same material as the band 5 and interposedbetween the band and the file elements.

The location of the point of attachment of each file element to thecarrier band and the relative position of its associated spacer leaf issuch that the spacer leaf underlies only an end portion of the fileelement and projects a short distance therefrom.

It is the leading end of the file element with relation to the directionof motion of the file band which is secured to the carrier.

The projecting end portion of each spacer leaf has a lug [0 formedthereon which constitutes a tongue to engage in the sockets l andprovide a tongue and groove connection between the ends of the fileelements and the carrier band. This connection, as will be readilyapparent, holds the adjacent ends of the file elements against relativelateral shifting, not only with respect to each other but also withrespect to the file band by virtue of the nearness of the point ofattachment of the spacer leaf to the carrier band. The lug It! may beformed in any desired manner, but preferably consists merely of anoutward protrusion struck from the metal of the spacer leaf itself.

The width of the lug should be as close to that of the sockets I as freerunning clearance will permit and by having the side Walls of thesockets perpendicular with the rear and front surfaces of the fileelements and the sides of the lugs sharply defined, the file elementswill be securely held against any possible shifting.

By forming the lugs ID on the spacer elements, it will be readilyapparent that weakening of the file band is avoided, and likewise costof production will be decreased due to the simplicity of stamping thespacer leaves in large quantities as distinguished from forming lugsdirectly on the carrier band.

The, spacer leaves, however, have another important function, namely,that of spacing the file elements from the carrier band, for beingconsiderably shorter than the file elements, it is obvious that asubstantial portion of each file element is spaced from the carried bandat all times. This reduces the probability of inaccuracies resultingfrom the accumulation of chips or filings under the file elements duringoperation of the machine.

In some filing machines heretofore in use, the ends of the file e ment wre ut 0 f? obliquely in a transverse direction for the stated purpose ofinsuring smooth transfer from one file element to another.

This angular disposition of the juncture between the adjacent fileelements under severe strain tended to shift the elements laterally andto avoid this possibility, the ends of the file elements are preferablyeither square as shown in Figure 1 or formed with an edgewise angularityas shown in Figure 3.

The latter construction provides, in effect, an overlap of the trailingend of the leading file element over the leading end of the nextfollowing file element.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawing, it will be readily apparent that this inventionprovides an exceedingly simple but effective manner of making a fileband for continuous filing machines which not only incorporates meansfor insuring proper alignment of the file elements, but alsoincorporates protection against loss of accuracy due to the accumulationof chips and filings under the file elements, and that it achieves theoptimum of simplicity and economy in construction by utilizing the samemeans to perform both functions.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A file band for filing machines comprising: a flexible carrier; aplurality of rigid file elements each having a socket in its undersurface at least at one end; a plurality of spacer leaves havingprojections adapted to enter the sockets of the file elements; and meanssecuring the file elements and spacer leaves to the flexible carrierwith the spacer leaves confined fiatwise between the file elements andthe adjacent side of the flexible carrier and in such a position thatthe portions of the spacer leaves having the projections, extend fromthe associated file elements for engagement in the sockets of adjacentfile elements to preclude lateral shifting of the files with respect toeach other.

2. A file band for filing machines comprising: a flexible carrieradapted to have its ends connected to form an endless band; a pluralityof rigid file elements; means for securing the file elements to one sideof the carrier; a spacer secured flatwise on said side of the carrierbetween each file element and said side of the carrier and having a partprojecting from one end of the file element for disposition under theend of the adjacent file element; and interengaging means on each spacerprojection and adjacent end of the file element for holding the fileelements in alignment.

3. In a file band for filing machines: a flexible carrier; a pluralityof rigid file elements; a plurality of spacer leaves one for each fileelement and substantially shorter than the file elements; means rigidlysecuring the file elements and spacers to the carrier with an endportion of the spacer projecting from one end of each file element tounderlie the end of the next adjacent file element, the differential inlength between the file elements and spacer leaves spacing the carrierand file elements from each other for a substantial part of the lengthof the file elements; and cooperating means on the projecting ends ofthe spacer leaves and the ends of the adjacent file elements under whichsaid projecting ends engage for preventing relative lateral displacementbetween said parts to thereby hold the file elements in alignment.

4. In a file band for filing machines: a flexible carrier; a pluralityof rigid file elements; a plurality of spacer leaves one for each fileelement and considerably shorter than the file element; means rigidlysecuring the file elements to one side of the carrier with the spacersclamped between the files and said side of the carrier and with part ofeach spacer extending beyond one end of each file element to engageunder the end of the next adjacent file element; and cooperating tongueand groove means on the spacer leaves and the file elements for holdingthe adjacent ends of the file elements against lateral shifting.

5. In a file band for filing machines: a flexible ribbon-like carrier; aplurality of rigid file elements; a plurality of spacer leaves one foreach file element but shorter than the file elements, said spacer leavesbeing of stock similar to that of the ribbon-like carrier; means rigidlysecuring the file elements and spacer leaves to one side of a thecarrier with the spacer leaves clamped between the file elements andsaid side of the carrier and with a part of each spacer leaf projectingfrom one end of its file element for engagement under the end of thenext adjacent file element, the file elements having sockets in theirunder surfaces at both ends providing the groove of a tongue and grooveconnection; and a projection struck from each spacer leaf providing thetongue for said tongue and groove connection by which the file elementsare held in alignment.

6. In a file band for filing machines: a flexible ribbon-like carrier; aplurality of short spring leaves mounted on the carrier at spacedintervals; a plurality of rigid file elements overlying the side of thecarrier on which the spring leaves are mounted and held spaced from thecarrier by said spring leaves; common securing means by which the fileelements and the spring leaves are secured to the carrier, thesecurement of the file elements and spring leaves to the carrier beingso located with relation to the lengths of the file elements and thespring leaves that the spring leaves are secured near one end leavingtheir opposite end portions free to flex toward and from the carrierwhile the file elements overlie the spring leaves at one end portiononly, which end terminates short of the adjacent end of the springleaves so that each spring leaf projects beyond one end of itsassociated file element; and cooperating means on the projecting ends ofthe spring leaves and the unsecured ends of the file elementsinterengageable to hold said unsecured ends of the file elements againstlateral shifting and in alignment with the secured ends of the adjacentfile elements.

'7. In a file band for filing machines: a flexible ribbon-like carrier;a plurality of short spring leaves mounted fiatwise on one side of thecarrier at spaced intervals; a plurality of rigid file elementsoverlying the side of the carrier on which the spring leaves are mountedand held spaced from said side of the carrier by said spring leaves;common securing means by which the file elements and the spring leavesare secured to the carrier, the securement of the file elements andspring leaves to the carrier being so located with relation to thelengths of the file elements and the spring leaves that the springleaves are secured near one end leaving their opposite end portions freeto flex toward and from the carrier while the file elements overlie thespring leaves at one end portion only, which end terminates short of theadjacent end of the spring leaves so that each spring leaf projectsbeyond one end of its associated file element; and a tongue struck upfrom the unsecured end portion of each spring leaf and engaging in asocket formed in the under surface of the unsecured end of the adjacentfile element to hold the file elements in axial alignment.

ROBERT JOHN WILKIE.

